Exploring the Possibility of a World of Warcraft Sequel: Community Hopes and Concerns

The idea of a World of Warcraft (WoW) sequel has long been a topic of debate among players, with discussions often centering on the game's aging engine, graphical style, and the feasibility of starting anew. A recent thread on the r/wow subreddit, titled "If they ever make a sequel with a new engine I hope they keep the art style," sparked a lively conversation about what a WoW 2 could look like, its potential benefits, and the risks involved. This article delves into the community's perspectives, analyzing player hopes, concerns, and the broader implications of a WoW sequel in 2025.

The Case for a WoW Sequel

The Aging Engine and Modern Expectations

WoW's current engine, while continuously updated, is rooted in technology from 2004. Players argue that this limits the game's ability to keep pace with modern MMORPGs in terms of graphics, physics, and mechanics. The subreddit thread highlights a desire for a new engine that could support:

Enhanced Visuals: Improved textures, lighting, and character models that maintain WoW's iconic art style but with higher fidelity.
Modern Mechanics: Better collision detection, dynamic environments, and more responsive combat systems, such as those seen in games like TERA or Final Fantasy XIV (FFXIV).
Performance Optimization: A new engine could reduce lag in large-scale battles, like those in Alterac Valley, and support modern hardware features like ray tracing.

Players note that while WoW's engine has been patched over the years, its core limitations-such as static environments and outdated GCD systems-hinder innovation. A sequel could address these issues, offering a fresh start with modern technology.

Nostalgia vs. Innovation

The thread emphasizes a key player preference: preserving WoW's cartoony, timeless art style. Many argue that this style is integral to WoW's identity and has aged well, unlike realistic graphics that can quickly become dated. However, players also want innovation, such as:

Custom Content: A sequel could introduce new zones, classes, or mechanics, similar to custom private servers like Turtle WoW or Ascension.
Story Continuation: Some suggest fast-forwarding the timeline, introducing new threats or revisiting unresolved plotlines, like the aftermath of the Titan Azeroth saga.
Community-Driven Features: Players hope for features like player housing, dynamic world events, or enhanced social systems, which are limited by the current engine.

Community Concerns and Risks

The Financial and Player Base Risks

A recurring concern is the financial risk of developing a WoW sequel. Players point out that:

Development Costs: Creating a new MMO with a modern engine would require significant investment, especially given WoW's vast content. Recreating assets like zones, dungeons, and raids would be a monumental task.
Player Base Split: A sequel could divide the player base, with some staying on the original WoW for nostalgia and others migrating to the new game. Past MMO sequels, like EverQuest 2, saw communities fracture, with many players returning to the original game after finding the sequel lacking.
Loss of Progress: Players fear losing years of progress, including mounts, transmogs, achievements, and pets. While some suggest transferring assets, others argue this would defeat the purpose of a fresh start.

The community notes that Blizzard's current strategy-releasing expansions every two years-keeps WoW profitable without the risks of a sequel. A WoW 2 would need to offer something revolutionary to justify its existence, which Blizzard historically avoids in favor of iterative updates.

Monetization and Corporate Priorities

Players express skepticism about Blizzard's ability to deliver a sequel that prioritizes player experience over profit. Concerns include:

Pay-to-Win Elements: Given trends in other Blizzard games, players worry about cash shops for gear, mounts, or boosts, similar to Warmane's controversial practices.
Shareholder Influence: Blizzard's focus on shareholder profits, evident in recent years, could lead to a sequel that prioritizes microtransactions over quality content.
Lack of Passion: Some argue that the current Blizzard lacks the passion of its early days, with expansions like Shadowlands criticized for poor storytelling. A sequel might suffer from similar issues, especially if developed by a team unfamiliar with WoW's roots.

Player Preferences and Hypothetical Features

Desired Features for a WoW 2

The subreddit thread offers a range of ideas for a hypothetical WoW sequel:

Art Style Preservation: Players overwhelmingly want to keep WoW's cartoony style, with enhanced details like cloth and hair physics, but without shifting to realism.
New Gameplay Systems: Suggestions include action-based combat, dynamic environments (e.g., destructible terrain), and expanded character creation, similar to Guild Wars 2.
Story and Setting: Some propose an alternate timeline post-Third War, while others suggest a future Azeroth with new races, classes, and threats. The community wants a narrative that builds on WoW's lore without retconning key events.
Legacy Rewards: To ease the transition, players suggest legacy rewards for veteran players, such as cosmetic items or titles, though many argue this could feel like a "slap in the face" if progress is lost.

Lessons from Other MMOs

Players reference other MMO sequels to highlight potential pitfalls and successes:

Final Fantasy XIV: FFXIV's success as a reboot shows that a fresh start can work, but it required significant investment and a willingness to abandon the original game. Blizzard is unlikely to take this risk with WoW's still-healthy player base.
EverQuest 2 and Guild Wars 2: These sequels split their communities, with mixed reviews and long-term struggles to match their predecessors' success. Players fear WoW 2 would face similar challenges, especially if it competes with the original game.

The Future of WoW: Sequel or Continued Updates?

Blizzard's Current Strategy

The community acknowledges that Blizzard is unlikely to develop a WoW sequel in the near future. Reasons include:

Profitability of Expansions: Expansions like The War Within, Midnight, and The Last Titan keep WoW profitable, with regular content updates and engine tweaks. Players note that each expansion is essentially a "sequel" in terms of updates.
Classic Servers: Blizzard's Classic servers cater to nostalgia, reducing the need for a Vanilla-focused sequel. However, some argue that Classic's success shows players are willing to start over, potentially supporting a WoW 2.
Risk Aversion: Blizzard's corporate focus on minimizing risk makes a sequel unlikely, especially given the success of other IPs like Diablo and Overwatch.

Community Predictions

Players predict that WoW will continue receiving updates for the foreseeable future, with engine improvements integrated into expansions rather than a standalone sequel. However, some speculate that if WoW's player base declines significantly, Blizzard might consider a sequel as a last resort, potentially in 5-10 years.

Conclusion

The r/wow subreddit thread reveals a community torn between nostalgia and the desire for innovation. While players dream of a WoW sequel with a modern engine, enhanced visuals, and new mechanics, they also recognize the risks of splitting the player base, losing progress, and facing corporate monetization. The consensus is that Blizzard is unlikely to pursue a sequel given WoW's ongoing profitability and the challenges of recreating its vast content. Instead, players expect continued updates, with hopes that future expansions will address engine limitations and deliver fresh content.

For now, the WoW community remains passionate, debating the future of their beloved game while cherishing its timeless art style and rich lore. Whether a WoW 2 ever materializes, the discussion underscores the enduring appeal of Azeroth and the challenges of evolving a 20-year-old MMO in 2025.